Teacher uses Ralphie to

Joey Dale walked into the room without so much as a smile. Another Friday, another day of class. That was until he saw Ralphie.

"If he's here .

By Amber Miles

Joey Dale walked into the room without so much as a smile. Another Friday, another day of class. That was until he saw Ralphie.

"If he's here … I like the days better," said the Floyd Elementary kindergartner.

And why shouldn't he? Ralphie, a white hypoallergenic, non-shedding bichon frise, adds character to Dale's classroom. The students all light up when they see the dog.

"Good boy," Dale said as he petted Ralphie. "He's so happy."

Floyd special education teacher Dana Nolan first started bringing her dog Ralphie to school in 2000, when she taught at Bullock Creek Elementary; now Floyd students are graced with his presence. Nolan, who has been actively involved in two animal rescue groups since 2002, did some research and found that incorporating a dog into the classroom has its benefits.

Since Ralphie's introduction, Fridays - or Thursdays depending on the school holiday schedule - have been calm days.

"Fridays are so hectic so it helps to have him here," Nolan said.

But bringing Ralphie to class isn't just for show and tell. Nolan uses Ralphie to teach her students about life skills, and he gives them another "person" to talk to. She said Ralphie is a lot less judgmental than humans might be.

"Sometimes when they have a bad day or need to talk about a problem out loud, they talk to him," Nolan said. "And if I don't have time to listen to them read, they will get a beanbag out and sit on the carpet with Ralphie."

The students also learn about how to properly treat animals, which carries over into their relationships with one another. Brandon Hoyt, a third grader, said he learned about being nice and how not to hit and kick other people, which is the same attitude he takes with Ralphie.

And just like with humans, dogs also have choices to make - sometimes good, sometimes bad. Hoyt said his mom used to call one of their dogs bad when he would get into the trash, but Hoyt pointed out, "He's not a bad boy. He's a good boy that makes bad choices."

Ralphie helps the students express their emotions.

"I love Ralphie," said kindergartner Justin Dyer as he bent down to kiss him. "Good boy. He loves to give me kisses."

After a day of reading, listening to problems and playing with students, Ralphie is one tired puppy, but Ralphie days are ones everyone around Floyd seems to cherish and look forward to.

"He's a very social dog, and I don't know if I'd ever be able to find another one that would be well-suited for this," Nolan said. "I just got lucky."

Reporter Amber Miles can be reached at amber.miles@gmail.com or (989) 839-4274.